Captured ex-performer recording impersonation of Ohtani to transfer $200,000, prosecutors say

Nearly four-minute audio recording purportedly captured Shohei ohtani Former Ippei Mizuhara performer cut out the baseball star on a call with a bank while trying to wire $200,000 for what he described as an auto loan, federal prosecutors said Thursday.

The recording referenced in a court filing and obtained by The Associated Press is being used to back up prosecutors’ push for a nearly five-year sentence for Mizuhara, who previously pleaded guilty to bank and tax fraud for stealing nearly $17 million to Los Angeles Star from Dodgers.

Prosecutors are also seeking restitution of the nearly $17 million to Ohtani, as well as a penalty of more than $1 million from the IRS.

Mizuhara is scheduled to be sentenced Feb. 6 after pleading guilty to one count of bank fraud and one count of subscribing to a false tax return.

His attorney, Michael G. Freedman, did not respond to an email from The Associated Press seeking comment.

In the recording, a man is heard identifying himself as Ohtani and saying he had tried to log into online banking, but it was unavailable. He later confirms that the transaction amount is $200,000.

When the woman at the bank asks him the reason for the transaction, he says it’s for a car loan.

“What is your relationship with the beneficiary?” she asks.

“Um, he’s my friend,” the man replies.

The recording was obtained from the bank, according to Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeff Mitchell. It is not known when it was made.

Toward the end of the call, the woman at the bank asks, “Will there be any future sons for your friend?”

“Maybe,” the man said.

The recording was first obtained by athletics.

The legal filing says Mizuhara accessed Ohtani’s account starting in November 2021 and changed his security protocols so he could identify him to authorize wire transfers. By 2024, Mizuhara would have used this money to purchase approximately $325,000 worth of baseball cards from online retailers eBay and so on.

Mizuhara pleaded guilty in June For spending millions from Ohtani’s Arizona bank account to cover his mounting bets and debts with an illegal bookmaker, as well as medical bills and $325,000 worth of baseball cards.

Mizuhara was there for a lot The protruding Japanese sensation’s career: He was Ohtani’s catcher during the Derby home run in the 2021 All-Star game and was also present for his two American League MVP wins and record-breaking $700 million and 10-year deal with The Dodgers. Off the field, he became Ohtani’s friend and confidant.

Mizuhara resigned from the Los Angeles Angels during the 2021 MLB lockout so he could continue talking to Ohtani – it was after a deal was reached – and their wives reportedly socialized .

But he gambled it all, betting tens of millions of dollars he didn’t have to bet on international football, the NBA, the NFL and college football – although prosecutors said he never bet on baseball .